Vital Stats

Two bright(ish) spots lighten the gloom hanging over UK media stocks

The darkening economic climate of the past 12 months has caused virtually all stocks to lose value, including UK media stocks.

UK media buying hits almost £13bn in 2007

UK media buying spend totalled £12.8bn in 2007, up 0.6% from 2006, with MediaCom scooping the biggest share - 12.2% or £1.55bn (see table).

UK ad spend forecasted to increase by 3% in 2008

Much has been made of the darkening economic climate and its gradual drain on UK ad spend. But while ad spend is coming under pressure, the situation here compares favourably with other leading industrialised countries.

ABCs show continuing circulation fall for Sundays

The latest newspaper ABCs make tough reading again for the Sunday papers. Four posted year-on-year circulation declines in excess of 10%.

More than nine million people listen to online radio

Rajar's latest survey into podcasts and online radio reveals that more than nine million people - 14.4% of respondents (see table) - are listening to radio via the internet every week.

Traditional media ads get most positive reactions

Print advertising generates the most positive reaction from UK consumers and is seen as having the most relevance.

Big Brother 9 is attracting fewer viewers than last year's show

Big Brother 9 started almost one million viewers down with 5.3 million tuning in to watch the new housemates arrive.

Independent gains online share via SEO

Newspapers are going from strength to strength online. UK internet visits to Hitwise's "news and media - print" category increased by 15% during the 12 months to March.